Nancy Stempky and her son, Nate, walked around Gordon Turner Park just north of downtown Cheboygan, fondly recalling all the community projects they had been a part of since Nate was just a toddler. Nancy grew up in a family that was always engaged in the community and she and her husband have continued that tradition with their four children.Before Nancy became the current president of the Straits Area Community Foundation (SACF), she was involved in local school and athletic programs, raising funds for cystic fibrosis research and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and serving as a Junior Achievement Instructor. Her employer, Citizens National Bank, also is very active in the community and encourages its employees to be involved. Nancy, a CPA, is the Vice President-Controller of the bank.

When asked what she enjoys most about serving on the Straits Area Community Foundation, she says she “loves being with all the different people and seeing the difference we make, especially projects like the backpack food program for school children.”

Nate, a recent graduate of Cheboygan Area High School, also is involved in the Community Foundation. He serves as the board of director’s youth trustee on behalf of the SACF Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Nate also played football, hockey and baseball, in addition to being in the National Honor Society and in the high school musical, while still staying committed to giving back to his community.

He had fun interacting with the other YAC members, but says learning about the many needs in his community was a real eye-opener. “You don’t realize how happy doing selfless things for others can make you until you get involved. It warms your heart.”